Enhancing the Travel Experience for People with Visual Impairments through Multimodal Interaction: NaviGPT, A Real-Time AI-Driven Mobile Navigation System.

Assistive technologies for people with visual impairments (PVI) have made significant advancements, particularly with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time sensor technologies. However, current solutions often require PVI to switch between multiple apps and tools for tasks like image recognition, navigation, and obstacle detection, which can hinder a seamless and efficient user experience. In this paper, we present NaviGPT, a high-fidelity prototype that integrates LiDAR-based obstacle detection, vibration feedback, and large language model (LLM) responses to provide a comprehensive and real-time navigation aid for PVI.

Incidence of cancer-related lymphoedema: a protocol for a living systematic review with meta-analysis.

Introduction: Given the projected rise in the incidence of cancer treatment-related conditions, such as lymphoedema, and the limited research on lymphoedema in cancers with poor prognoses, there is a need for a better understanding of cancer-related lymphoedema incidence and associated risk factors across all types of cancers. The objectives of this review are (1) to produce a resource on an open-access platform that facilitates continuous update of incidence estimates and risk factors as evidence emerges, (2) to provide the most up-to-date estimate of the incidence of cancer-related lymphoedema and (3) to evaluate the strength and consistency of the association between lymphoedema and cancer treatment and non-treatment-related risk factors.

Methods And Analysis: A living systematic and grey literature search will be conducted to identify studies reporting the incidence, prevalence of lymphoedema or associated risk factors in individuals who have undergone treatment for any type of cancer.

Emergency managers' challenges with wildfires and related cascading hazards in California.

This study investigates the complexities faced by emergency managers in wildfire-prone areas to uncover pressing issues and potential solutions. Four themes are discerned through three focus group discussions with emergency managers from nine counties across California. First, there is unequal access to resources for both risk assessment and response, with counties that have fewer resources facing significant challenges in effectively managing wildfire risks.

Differential protective effects of Family Income-to-Poverty-Ratio on electronic cigarette, depression, and obesity of Black and White Americans.

Background: The Family Income-to-Poverty-Ratio (FIPR) is a recognized indicator of socioeconomic status, and influences a wide range of health and behavioral outcomes. Yet, marginalized and racialized groups, particularly Black individuals, may not reap comparable health benefits from their socioeconomic advancements as their non-Hispanic, White counterparts. This discrepancy is indicative of a phenomenon known as the minorities' diminished returns.

A scoping review of the Trauma Recovery Center model for underserved victims of violent crime.

Victimization in the United States is common and has long lasting negative impacts for individuals, often disproportionately impacting those of color and from low socioeconomic communities. The Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) model aims to provide comprehensive mental health and wrap-around case management services for underserved victims of crime. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we sought to further our knowledge about the impact of the TRC model.

Doctors' satisfaction with the rehabilitation system for anti-terrorist operation participants: A factor analysis.

Background: A war has a catastrophic effect on veterans' health. However, there is a knowledge gap about the veterans' rehabilitation system, requirements, and the satisfaction of doctor-organizers. The present study aims to assess the level of satisfaction of the doctor-organizers of health care with the existing rehabilitation system for anti-terrorist operation (ATO) veterans in Ukraine.

Content and quality of consumer websites providing information about human papillomavirus infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: An environmental scan.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the content and quality of websites for consumers providing information about human papillomavirus (HPV) risks in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: We conducted an environmental scan of websites for patients and the general public with information about HPV and SLE. We searched Google from inception to June 2023, using the terms "HPV" and "lupus".

Knowledge of Accredited Social Health Activists in India: a systematic review and meta analysis of evidence drawn from primary studies published between 2005 and 2022.

Background: Since the inception of the ASHAs in the year 2005, their work horizons have increased from Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent health (RMNCH + A), Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (CD & NCD) to oral health, ophthalmologic care, and other supportive community level healthcare services. The present literature lacks comprehensive understanding and synthesis of domain-wise knowledge of ASHAs and the factors affecting their knowledge. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize and collate the relevant evidence to understand the overall knowledge of ASHAs.

Young, Empowered & strong (YES): a study protocol paper for a randomized controlled trial of an mHealth symptom monitoring and self-management intervention for adolescent and young adult (AYA) breast cancer survivors.

Background: Compared to older adults with breast cancer (BC), adolescents and young adults (AYAs) develop more aggressive disease necessitating more intensive therapy with curative intent, which is disruptive to planned life trajectories. The burden of unmet needs among AYA BC survivors exists in two domains: (1) symptoms (e.g.

Kotter's change management approach to transforming oral healthcare delivery: A case study.

Introduction: Despite progress in research and technological advancements, the delivery of oral health care continues to be plagued by disparities in accessibility and affordability. Dental caries and periodontal disease remain major issues, and new challenges such as socioeconomic disparities and emerging public health dangers also contribute to the complexity of the issue. To address these challenges, dental education and oral healthcare delivery must shift their focus from disease treatment to disease prevention and health promotion.

The Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Stage at Diagnosis of Melanoma Patients: A Retrospective Study.

Background: This study addresses the lack of research on Medicaid expansion's impact on melanoma staging, treatment utilization, and outcomes by evaluating its effects under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), particularly focusing on staging at diagnosis, treatment use, and 3-year mortality outcomes. The objective is to determine whether Medicaid expansion led to earlier melanoma diagnosis and improved survival rates among non-elderly adults (ages 40-64) by analyzing data from the National Cancer Database (NCDB).

Methods: A total of 12,667 patients, aged 40-64, diagnosed with melanoma from 2010 to 2020 were identified using the NCDB.

Global perspectives in acute and emergency general surgery in low and middle-income countries: a WSES project protocol for scoping review on global surgery.

Background: Around five billion people globally lack access to safe, timely, and affordable surgical facilities and care in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Global initiatives have been launched, including efforts led by organizations. Also, regional efforts have shed light on the unique challenges faced by different areas within LMICs.

The association between neighborhood social vulnerability and community-based rehabilitation after stroke.

Background: Timely rehabilitative care is vital for functional recovery after stroke. Social determinants may influence access to and use of post-stroke care but have been inadequately explored. The study examined the relationship between the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) and community-based rehabilitation utilization.

Controversies in Myopia Control Treatment: What Does it Mean for Future Research?

Purpose: Treatment of myopia has been informed by more than 3 decades of clinical trials and other observations. However, controversies regarding myopia control remain, such as when to stop treatment and what is the long-term efficacy of treatment. This perspective aims to describe clinically relevant and current controversies regarding myopia treatment.

Emergency department crowding: An assessment of the potential impact of the See-and-Treat protocol for patient flow management at an Italian hospital.

Background: Crowding and patient flow management are among the most relevant issues for emergency departments (EDs). This results in delayed treatment, adverse outcomes and increased costs. For these reasons, nurse-independent treatment protocols were developed aimed at managing non-emergency patients outside EDs thus improving patient flow.

Common pitfalls in oncology drug applications aiming for conditional marketing authorization.

Early approval mechanisms, such as conditional approval in the EU, have been used extensively to provide timely access to therapeutic innovations to cancer patients with unmet medical needs. While based on promising early evidence, such approvals are challenging from many perspectives due to the lack of comprehensive data. The limitation typically relates to data that demonstrates clinical benefit via early endpoints and is only acceptable when the early evidence is particularly convincing to assume that the benefits of early access are greater than the potential harms.

Siblings With Berardinelli-Seip Congenital Lipodystrophy: Clinical Insights and Challenges.

Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy (BSCL), also known as congenital generalized lipodystrophy (CGL), is an exceptionally rare autosomal recessive disorder marked by a significant deficiency of adipose tissue throughout the body. This lack of adipose tissue, normally found beneath the skin and between internal organs, leads to impaired adipocyte formation and fat storage, causing lipids to accumulate in atypical tissues such as muscles and the liver. The extent of adipose tissue loss directly influences the severity of symptoms, which can include a muscular appearance, increased appetite, bone cysts, marrow fat depletion, acromegalic features, severe insulin resistance, skeletal muscle hypertrophy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hepatic steatosis, hepatomegaly, cirrhosis, and intellectual disability.

State of Lung Cancer in Egypt: Moving Towards Improved Guidelines for Prevention, Screening, Treatment, and Clinical Care Programs.

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally and presents significant challenges in Egypt. In 2023, the first annual meeting of the Thoracic Oncology Multidisciplinary Faculty, organized by the Egyptian Cancer Research Network and the Egyptian Society of Respiratory Neoplasms, was held in Cairo, Egypt. The meeting aimed to address gaps in lung cancer management across Egypt and the broader Middle East and North Africa region.

The Experience of Undocumented Individuals Denied Stem Cell Transplant for Hematologic Malignancies.

Background: Undocumented individuals with hematologic malignancies in the United States face barriers to receiving often-curative stem cell transplant (SCT), instead receiving inferior treatment with higher mortality. Federal and state policies' impact on undocumented individuals' lived experiences goes unnoticed.

Objective: To understand the experiences of this rare population of undocumented individuals with hematologic malignancies who cannot receive medically indicated SCT.

Sex hormone-dependent host-microbiome interactions and cardiovascular risk (XCVD): design of a longitudinal multi-omics cohort study.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) present differently in women and men, influenced by host-microbiome interactions. The roles of sex hormones in CVD outcomes and gut microbiome in modifying these effects are poorly understood. The XCVD study examines gut microbiome mediation of sex hormone effects on CVD risk markers by observing transgender participants undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), with findings expected to extrapolate to cisgender populations.

Response eQTLs, chromatin accessibility, and 3D chromatin structure in chondrocytes provide mechanistic insight into osteoarthritis risk.

Osteoarthritis (OA) poses a significant healthcare burden with limited treatment options. While genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified over 100 OA-associated loci, translating these findings into therapeutic targets remains challenging. To address this gap, we mapped gene expression, chromatin accessibility, and 3D chromatin structure in primary human articular chondrocytes in both resting and OA-mimicking conditions.

Acute Needs, ACUTE Response: Development and Delivery of a Mental Health Urgent Care in the Bronx.

As mental health needs rise, creative and timely solutions are essential. Leveraging the expansion and flexibility of virtual services to create telehealth and hybrid offerings is crucial for addressing systemic barriers in mental health, enhancing accessibility, and providing flexible, comprehensive care options for diverse patient populations. This article discusses the development of a mental health urgent care program within a large medical system in a densely populated, under-resourced community.

Leveraging Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning Methods for Adverse Drug Event Detection in Electronic Health/Medical Records: A Scoping Review.

Background: Natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) techniques may help harness unstructured free-text electronic health record (EHR) data to detect adverse drug events (ADEs) and thus improve pharmacovigilance. However, evidence of their real-world effectiveness remains unclear.

Objective: To summarise the evidence on the effectiveness of NLP/ML in detecting ADEs from unstructured EHR data and ultimately improve pharmacovigilance in comparison to other data sources.

Insights into conformational ensembles of compositionally identical disordered peptidomimetics.

While the conformational ensembles of disordered peptides and peptidomimetics are complex and challenging to characterize, they are a critical component in the paradigm connecting macromolecule sequence, structure, and function. In molecules that do not adopt a single predominant conformation, the conformational ensemble contains rich structural information that, if accessible, can provide a fundamental understanding related to desirable functions such as cell penetration of a therapeutic or the generation of tunable enzyme-mimetic architecture. To address the fundamental challenge of describing broad conformational ensembles, we developed a model system of peptidomimetics comprised of polar glycine and hydrophobic -butylglycine to characterize using a suite of analytical techniques.

Early intervention in psychosis programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America; challenges and recommendations.

Background: While early intervention in psychosis (EIP) programs have been increasingly implemented across the globe, many initiatives from Africa, Asia and Latin America are not widely known. The aims of the current review are (a) to describe population-based and small-scale, single-site EIP programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America, (b) to examine the variability between programs located in low-and-middle income (LMIC) and high-income countries in similar regions and (c) to outline some of the challenges and provide recommendations to overcome existing obstacles.

Methods: EIP programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America were identified through experts from the different target regions.